James River High School senior Georgia Miller has made history, becoming the first female wrestler from Botetourt County to sign with a NAIA college, receiving a scholarship to wrestle for Montreat College in North Carolina.
Miller didn’t grow up in a wrestling family, but something about the sport caught her attention in the winter of 2021. One day, seemingly out of the blue, she texted her mom, Carrie Carswell: “I signed up for wrestling.” Carrie immediately texted her husband, Warren, “THIS IS YOUR FAULT. YOU BETTER TALK HER OUT OF IT!”
From that moment on, Georgia was all in. She rarely missed a practice. Warren soon became the JRHS girls wrestling coach, and their winters quickly filled with long drives, crowded gyms, and countless matches. Georgia spent summers traveling to Missouri to attend the prestigious Purler Wrestling Camp, competed in the off season, and dedicated herself to the weight room to grow stronger.
“Wrestling is one of those sports where you lose more than you win,” said coach Warren. “Every time you step on the mat, you risk getting beat up. I’ve seen her slammed, shoved off the mat, and physically beaten. And every time, she jumps back up, runs to the center, and looks her opponent in the eye, showing she’s not intimidated.”
That toughness has defined Miller’s career. She is known for never shying away from tough competition.
“To get better, you’ve got to face those who are better,” Georgia said.
This season, she tested herself at two of the toughest girls tournaments in the country, Beast of the East and Women of Ironman. While she came home with more bruises and losses than wins, she gained invaluable experience heading into the state tournament. Her season highlights included a 6th place finish out of 24 competitors at the Battle at the Bridge in Woodbridge and a 4th place finish out of 28 at the Queen of the Ring in Herndon.
Miller is nearing the end of her high school career with 36 wins, including four 1st place finishes, three 3rds, two 4ths, and three 6ths. Not bad for someone who has only been wrestling for four years.
Bobby Stewart, JRHS head wrestling coach, says, “As a coach, my goals are to win championships and send kids to wrestle in college. Georgia has done both. Georgia not only pioneered female wrestling at James River High School, she is also only one of three wrestlers to commit to wrestle in college in all my years of coaching. She is the first female to ever commit to wrestle in college from our school. Those are great memories made and goals achieved.”
“Not only did we think she would never wrestle,” said her mom Carrie, “we never thought she would end up wrestling in college. We are so proud of her.”
While wrestling is her sport, Georgia’s deeper calling is in camp ministry. She is a member of Genesis United Methodist Church in Roanoke, where her coach is also her pastor and stepfather.
“I’ve seen her grow into a strong woman of faith,” Warren said, “and I have no doubt that the lessons she’s learned on the mat will give her the fortitude to carry out the ministry God is placing on her heart.”
Georgia has attended Camp Alta Mons in Shawsville since she was 9 years old. Her love for camp life eventually led her to become a counselor, where she now passes along the love of Jesus to new campers she mentors.
At Montreat College, Miller will wrestle but, more importantly, she will pursue a degree in Outdoor Christian Ministry. Her long-term goal is to become a camp director, combining her love for Jesus, the outdoors and mentoring young people.
Georgia officially signed with Montreat College during James River’s Senior Night on Jan. 21.
